Published work

Core Mental Health Data Set (CMHDS) methods feasibility paper

Abel, K. M., Edwardes, A., Tranter, H., Dark, P., Sandler, R. D., Kalra, P.A., et al. BMJ Health & Care Informatics. 2025; 32:e101446. DOI: 10.1136/bmjhci-2025-101446

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This report summarises findings from the NIHR-funded Core Mental Health Data Set (CMHDS) study, which aimed to embed routine mental health data collection within physical health research. Four physical health trials were invited to implement a digital CMHDS tool; two studies, involving cystic fibrosis care and the Salford Kidney Study, successfully embedded it. Of 478 invited participants, 88% agreed to take part and 44% completed the CMHDS. In the kidney study, completers were younger, less deprived, and had better kidney function, while no differences were observed in the cystic fibrosis study. Overall, embedding CMHDS was feasible and acceptable, supporting its routine use to enhance physical health research.

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Implementing a digital mental health intervention - the Lumi Nova app - to support children with anxiety in economically disadvantaged areas: Mixed methods study

Whelan, P., Tranter, H., Carter, L.A., Sainsbury, J., Rathee, M., Stockton-Powdrell, C., Bolton, N., Abel, K. M., Med Internet Res. October 2025. DOI: 10.2196/60611​

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Anxiety is common among children, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas of the United Kingdom where access to timely mental health support is limited. This mixed-methods study explored the use of the digital therapeutic Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage to support children with anxiety in these settings. Mental health teams in the North of England supported delivery of the intervention. Of 113 consenting children, 98 (87%) accessed the app at least once. Interviews with children, parents, and practitioners indicated positive experiences, while usage data showed varied engagement, with 49% completing three in-game challenges. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of deploying digital mental health interventions in disadvantaged communities without commonly anticipated access barriers.​

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CaFI:Digital: Co-designing a digital platform to support a Culturally-adapted Family Intervention (CaFI) for African and Caribbean people diagnosed with psychosis and their families.

Whelan, P., Lemetyinen, H., Morley, H., Tranter, H., Foster, S., Edge, D., JMIR Formative Research. 09 October 2025 (Preprint). DOI: 10.2196/73246

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People from Black African and Caribbean backgrounds in the UK are disproportionately diagnosed with psychosis yet are rarely offered culturally informed family therapy, despite NICE recommendations. CaFI:Digital aimed to reduce these inequalities by developing an accessible digital platform to support delivery of a Culturally-Adapted Family Intervention (CaFI) as an alternative or adjunct to in-person therapy. Using an iterative Agile co-design approach, workshops, interviews, and team meetings captured end-user feedback from service users, families, and clinicians, which informed rapid software development through three-week sprints. Key accessibility and usability requirements were implemented, and the platform was successfully beta-tested. This represents the first bespoke digital therapy platform co-designed with and for Black African and Caribbean people experiencing psychosis.

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Enhancing referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: the EN-CAMHS mixed-methods study

Abel, K. M., Whelan, P., Carter, LA., Tranter, H., Stockton-Powdrell, C., Gutridge, K., Hassan, L., Elvins, R., Edbrooke-Childs, In: J. Health Social Care Delivery Res, June 2025. DOI: 10.3310/GYDW4507

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​National Health Service Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) assess and treat children and young people with mental health problems, yet almost one quarter of the 497,502 referrals made in 2020–2021 were unsuccessful, often due to incorrect referral processes or unmet criteria. This study examined problems and solutions to improve referral success using patient data from nine CAMHS and referral data from four Trusts, alongside consultations with children and young people, parents, referrers and professionals. Findings showed wide variation in referral volumes and outcomes, confusion about CAMHS’ role, and limited support during referrals. Patient and public involvement informed all stages.​

 

 

Co-Designing a Digital App to Support Young People's Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (VoiceIn): Development and Usability Study

Branitsky, A., Bee, P., Bucci, S., Lovell, K., Foster, S., Whelan, P. JMIR Hum Factors. October 2024. DOI: 10.2196/53394. 

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Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) is central to mental health research, yet young people face barriers such as school commitments, limited independence and difficulties attending face-to-face meetings. VoiceIn is a mobile app and digital platform co-developed by young people, mental health researchers and software designers to support accessible PPIE. Using co-design workshops and iterative prototyping with young people, professionals and PPIE leads, key priorities and features were identified, including flexible feedback methods, project updates, accessible language and user-friendly design. A co-design approach was essential to meeting diverse stakeholder needs.

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